Electronic device receptacle.

ABSTRACT

A container to be used to keep clean or protect a personal electronic device from the harmful things in the environment. The device being placed inside the container, the container being sealed, and the device remaining fully functional. There being piercing areas on the container that are capable of maintaining a seal around the things that might pass through the piercing area, such as an antenna or power cord for instance. The container being easy to use and optionally disposable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/027,999, filed Jul. 23, 2014, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

More and more people are using personal electronic devices (PED's) such as cellular phones, laptops and tablets. The ubiquity of these PED's have increased the convenience of being connected to the internet. People can now be connected to the internet and to the cellular networks pretty much twenty-four (24) hours a day any day of the week. Along with the convenience of being connected with PED's comes a greater chance for damage to these electronic devices.

Because more and more people are using PED's in their daily lives, these devices can be damaged or become dirty in a multitude of ways. Cellular phones, for example, can be damaged in the work place. Painters, electricians, carpenters and like will have increased damage to their cellular phones while working on site. Consumers on vacation may damage their cellular phones dropping them in the water or in the sand or on the ground to name a few examples. Industrial workers can harm their PED's through exposure to harmful chemicals.

One approach to the problem is by placing the PED in a hard container or pouch. However, this approach has the disadvantage of either making the PED inaccessible while inside the container or not fully covering the PED. Additionally, this approach does not always keep the PED clean from dirt and debris, often including an open face for operating the PED with many nooks and crannies where dirt can get deposited. Another approach to the problem is through the use of a zipping type plastic bag. However, this approach is ugly, does not allow easy access to the phone, and does not easily protect the phone from being dropped in water.

Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,713 (Schwarz) issued on Oct. 8, 2013. However, this reference suffers from at least one or more of the following disadvantages: 1) it does not have a sealable mouth, 2) it has no float.

The present invention may be installed onto a PED such that functionality and operation of the PED is not limited or encumbered. An embodiment may protect the PED from damage and contaminants and may further provide a water-resistant enclosure. Additionally, an embodiment may provide sufficient buoyancy to enable the PED to float should it be dropped into water.

An embodiment may comprise flexible material, for example plastic sheet, that is formed into a container for the PED. The material may be waterproof and/or stretchable as well as flexible. In an embodiment, the material may be disposable, recyclable or both. The container may include an opening with a sealable, watertight closure component. In use, the PED may be placed inside the container through the opening and the container sealed by the closure component.

The container may have an inflatable portion for increasing buoyancy of the container. The inflatable portion could optionally include a blow-up stem to facilitate inflation. The blow-up stem being a flexible tube that lays flat against the container when not in use and is closed but will open to allow air to pass when blown into. The blow-up stem being any form that achieves the same purpose of inflating the inflatable portion, e.g. a hole with a valve.

For the foregoing reasons there's a need in the industry for an apparatus that can easily keep clean or add protection from the elements and the like, in a disposable way, to personal electronic devices while maintaining useful functionality of the PED, e.g. one would still be able to dial and text from a protected cellular phone. Such a solution will greatly minimize the need for replacing personal electronic devices that have been damaged or dirtied, for example from dirt, debris, water, chemicals, or the like. Such a solution will also minimize the cost involved in owning personal electronic devices by prolonging their useful life.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an apparatus, the utility of which is to provide a disposable means that is easily installed onto a personal electronic device and allows for continued use of the functionality of the personal electronic device. This utility provides a method and an apparatus for protecting the PED from harm and filth and minimizing the cost of ownership. Also, the PED would be able to float when used with the apparatus.

One embodiment of the invention is a receptacle for use with an electronic device comprising a flexible material, plastic sheet for example. The material being stretchable to accommodate the size of the electronic device. The material being waterproof as well. The flexible material is capable of forming a container, like a bag for example, having a receiving portion with an opening, this portion would be where the electronic device is placed into the container. The material being disposable and/or made from recyclable material.

The container has an inscription area and a sealer. The sealer is used to close an open end of the container and can be a flap or any other closure means. The sealer could be resealable or permanently sealed after it is used thereby requiring destruction to remove the PED. The inscription area can be marked and erased, it can be luminescent, this is handy for labeling the container with identifying information such as a user's name. The opening is sealable with the sealer. The container has at least one piercing area which is capable of sealably having objects pierce through it. This is useful for passing cords through the container that need to be attached to the electronic device, headphones for a cell phone to name one example. The container has a blow-up portion which has a blow-up stem. The blow-up stem being sealable and unsealable and used to inflate the blow-up portion. The inflated blow-up portion allows the container to float which would protect the electronic device from sinking in water or other liquids.

A method embodiment of the invention for protectably containing an electronic device involves the steps of obtaining a plastic sealable bag that has a float which can be inflated by blowing air into a tube that then fills the float with air. Then placing the electronic device within the plastic sealable bag and then securing the electronic device within the bag by closing the bag with a flap that is sealable. Then filling the float with air. Once this is done a user can attach any desired accessories to the electronic device by passing the cords of the accessories through a pierce-able area in the bag.

Another method embodiment of the invention for making an electronic device floatable comprises obtaining a plastic sealable bag that has a float which can be inflated by blowing air into a tube that then fills the float with air. Then placing the electronic device within the plastic sealable bag, securing the electronic device within the bag by closing the bag with a flap that is sealable. After this a user can fill the float with air by blowing into the tube then attaching any desired accessories to the electronic device by passing the cords of the accessories through a pierce-able area in the bag.

An embodiment of the invention, often referred to as an amiwrap by the inventor, will allow a person to easily and quickly cover a personal electronic device, such as a cell phone to name one example, such that the device is sealed off from the environment but yet is fully functional. For example, a person can take the apparatus, cover their phone and yet be able to see the phone and use the phone to talk to and hear callers. This will greatly increase the life of a personal electronic device by protecting it from harm due to the environment, dirt, liquids, and chemicals to name a few examples. The containers will be dispensed similarly as a roll of disposable trash bags are dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a view of the apparatus embodying features of the present invention with a cellular phone being placed into the apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective side view of the apparatus embodying features of the present invention with an accessory headphone.

FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of the method embodying features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION Overview

As shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention includes the container 1 which is made of a flexible material having an inscription area 2 for a user to write messages. A sealer 3 which is flap-like being attached to the container 1. The container 1 having at least one sealable piercing area 4 where a user can put an end of an accessory, such as a headset or plug, through and the piercing area 4 will remain sealed around the accessory cord. A personal electronic device 5, such as a cell phone or small tablet computer for example, being situated within the container 1. The container 1 has a blow-up portion 6 that is inflatable through the use of a blow-up stem 7 which can be lifted by a user and blown into.

A shown in FIG. 2, a view of an embodiment of the invention with a cellular phone being placed into the apparatus includes a container 100 with a cell phone 105 being placed inside. The container 100 has an area that allows for piercing 106 the container 100. Once the cell phone 105 is placed completely inside the container 100 a sealer 104, which is like a flap that has adhesive, will fold over and close the container 100. A stem 102 can be unsealed, blown into, and allow air to pass and inflate a blow-up area 101. The user can then write her name in an inscription area 103.

As shown in FIG. 3, a perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention with an accessory headphone includes a container 204 with a cell phone 200 within. A sealer 206 closes the container by folding over and sealing with adhesive 205 to the container 204. A headphone 208 passes through a sealable piercing area 209. A user writes some information with a pen or pencil 207 in an inscription area 201, the writing can later be erased. A stem 203 can be unsealed, blown into, and allow air to pass and fill a blow-up area 202 which would allow the container to float.

As shown in FIG. 4 a flow diagram of the method embodying features of the present invention comprises the steps of obtaining a plastic sealable bag that has a float which can be inflated by blowing air into a tube that then fills the float with air 300. Placing the electronic device within the plastic sealable bag and then securing the electronic device within the bag by closing the bag with a flap that is sealable 301. Then filling the float with air 302. Once this is done a user can attach any desired accessories to the electronic device by passing the cords of the accessories through a pierceable area in the bag 303.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with the reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, the container may be formed from a single layer of plastic that is then foldable and then sealable in various spots to form a bag. Another example is where the container has considerable stretch in the material to wrap around the electronic device more tightly than shown in the figures. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. An alternative example could include a way of making the piercing opening watertight or water resistant with a special material suited for providing a seal around the piercing object, e.g. an adhesive filled opening. An alternative method version for example might start with placing the electronic device in a PED container.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. 

What I claim is:
 1. A receptacle for use with an electronic device, the receptacle comprising: a flexible material; the flexible material forming a container; the container having a receiving portion; the receiving portion having an opening; the container having an inscription area; the container having a sealer; the opening being sealable with the sealer; the container having at least one piercing area; the at least one piercing area being capable of sealably having objects pierce through the at least one piercing area; the container having a blow-up portion; the blow-up portion having a blow-up stem; the blow-up stem being sealable and unsealable; the blow-up stem being usable to inflate the blow-up portion.
 2. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the material is stretchable to accommodate the size of the electronic device.
 3. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the material is disposable as a recyclable material.
 4. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the inscription area can be written on and erased as needed.
 5. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the container is capable of floating in water when the blow-up portion is inflated with air.
 6. A method for protectably containing an electronic device, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a sealable bag that has a float which can be inflated by blowing air into a tube that then fills the float with air; (b) placing the electronic device within the sealable bag; (c) securing the electronic device within the bag by closing the bag with a flap that is sealable; (d) filling the float with air; (e) attaching any desired accessories to the electronic device by passing the cords of the accessories through a pierce-able area in the bag.
 7. A method for making an electronic device floatable, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a sealable bag that has a float which can be inflated by blowing air into a tube that then fills the float with air; (b) placing the electronic device within the sealable bag; (c) securing the electronic device within the bag by closing the bag with a flap that is sealable; (d) filling the float with air; (e) attaching any desired accessories to the electronic device by passing the cords of the accessories through a pierce-able area in the bag.
 8. A receptacle for use with an electronic device, the receptacle comprising: a flexible material forming a container; the container having a receiving portion; the receiving portion having an opening; the container having a sealer; the container having at least one piercing area; the container having a blow-up portion.
 9. A receptacle for use with an electronic device, the receptacle comprising: a flexible material; the flexible material forming a container; the container having a receiving portion; the receiving portion having an opening; the container having an inscription area; the container having a sealer; the opening being sealable with the sealer; the container having at least one piercing area; the at least one piercing area being capable of sealably having objects pierce through the at least one piercing area; the container having a blow-up portion.
 10. The receptacle of claim 9 further comprising: the blow-up portion having a blow-up stem; the blow-up stem being sealable and unsealable. the blow-up stem being usable to inflate the blow-up portion. 